Mac Web Camera News

In a recent visit to Creative Labs online store I noted a sharp reduction in the number - and type - of Creative HD webcams listed that are compatible with Mac OSX. Creative has long been a supporter of the Apple friendly UVC - USB Video Class web camera standard and have implemented it in every camera since around 2008. Some of the very first cameras listed here on this site were Creative Labs models, back when the Live Cam Optia series was introduced.

Today, only THREE webcam models are listed, One, the dual-sensor 3D webcam - the SENZ3D - is only supported on the Windows platform for it's unique gesture control technology and face-sensing that might appeal to Windows game developers. The only other two suitable for Mac OSX are surprisingly low-end and midrange models - The Live! Cam SYNC 720p HD and the notably better Live Cam CHAT 720p HD - both of which are only 720p maximum HD resolution. Their high-end 1080p resolution offerings to compete with Logitech for the premium webcam market are no longer listed (but may be in-stock elsewhere). Neither of the remaining two cams support H.264 hardware video compression which select models of their 1080p HD cams did.

It's no secret the desktop computer accessory marketplace is under terrible pressure from Mobile and Handheld device popularity. No doubt demand for external USB web cameras has shrunk as more PC and Mac users use their iPhone, iPad or other iGadget to video chat with on the go. For mobile users, wireless Bluetooth speakers are now all the rage and a multi-billion dollar market. Historically, Creative Labs SoundBlaster and it's audio products are what made the company a leader in computer peripherals. Continuing to manufacture webcams for Mac and Windows desktop PC's probably isn't as lucrative as it used to be. Lastly, it's become even harder to compete with Logitech for a narrowing slice of the USB webcam market, especially given what a great range of very high-quality webcam hardware Logitech delivers to Mac and PC users.

These UVC compliant webcams offer plug-and-play compatibility for MacOS Mojave and Sierra as well as earlier incarnations of MacOS Mjoave and Sierra as well as OSX El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Lion, Leopard and Tiger.